Airports Close to Asheville, North Carolina

The benefits of friendly personnel and user-friendly access outweigh the drawbacks of limited airline service at the Asheville, North Carolina, regional airport. Fares are typically higher at the smaller airport, but passengers in search of an inexpensive flight or who need a direct flight or international service can choose from three airports near Asheville accessible by Interstate highway.

Asheville’s regional airport (flyavl.com) is 17 miles south of the city via Interstate 26. Allegiant, Delta, United and US Airways serve the small airport, providing connecting service to airports in the New York area, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston and Charlotte. Ample parking is a short walk from the terminal, where travelers can grab a bite to eat at the snack bar, pick up a magazine and view local art in the airport’s gallery. The airport has complimentary Wi-Fi, a business center and charging stations for electronic devices.

Less than 70 miles south of Asheville via Interstate 26 and US 25 S, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (gspairport.com) is served by Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest, United and US Airways. The airlines offer more than 50 non-stop flights to 18 cities in the United States from Greenville-Spartanburg. US Airways provides connecting service to the airport in Charlotte, 90 miles east, for international flights. Passenger pick-up and drop-off is easy, and short term parking is a few steps from the terminal.

Tri-Cities Regional Airport (triflight.com), outside Johnson City, Tennessee, is another intimate airport with easy parking, a single restaurant, a business center and a gift shop. Allegiant, Delta and US Airways serve Tri-Cities, 76 miles north of Asheville via Interstates 26 and 81. The airport provides complimentary Wi-Fi and lounges with televisions. Major car rental companies maintain desks at the airport, and a livery service provides limo and taxi service to Johnson City and Kingsport, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (charmeck.org/city/charlotte) is the closest large international airport to Asheville. About 120 miles southeast via Interstate 26 and US 74 E, the airport is served by AirTran, American, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways, as well as Air Canada and Lufthansa. EcoSeat (ecoseat.net) operates shuttle service between the Charlotte airport and Asheville on an "as needed" basis. The airport has 26,000 parking spaces, most of them in satellite lots with shuttle service. Drivers dropping off passengers can stop briefly in front of the terminal, and those picking up can wait in a cell phone lot until the traveler arrives. Winner of the International Air Transport Association’s award for Best Airport in 2010, Charlotte Douglas has multiple lounges, restaurants and shops. A central atrium features rocking chairs and a grand piano.